Australia Post urges customers to allow plenty of time for Christmas deliveries

AUSTRALIA Post is encouraging customers to order Christmas presents as early as possible to ensure gifts make it time for Christmas.

Australia Post is preparing for its busiest Christmas period in its 211-year history with the company stating it is delivering 7.5million more parcels than it was this time last year.

In order to cope with the increased workload Australia Post has retrained 2000 posties to deliver parcels in vans and put 3000 extra vehicles on the road as well as 18 dedicated planes in the air to transport parcels across the country.

Post offices will also be open longer to accommodate customers.

“We’re expecting to deliver millions more parcels than we did last year and are more prepared than ever before,” deliveries south general manager Shane Plant said.

“We’re encouraging our customers to send their presents as early as they can, so their letters and parcels have the best chance of arriving in time for Christmas.”

Mr Plant urged people to be mindful of the extra posties and extended hours they will be working to best ensure their safety.

“Our posties and delivery drivers across the Surf Coast have been working incredibly hard to deliver for their communities. As we approach our busiest time of the year, they’ll be out on the road more than ever before and will face greater risks to their safety from things like cars and dogs, so we’re asking people to be alert and keep an eye out for them to ensure everyone can have a safe and happy Christmas this year.”

Australia Post asked customers to send their deliveries no later than December 12 for parcel post and December 19 for express post, to ensure they arrive on time. Items sent after these dates will still be delivered as quickly as possible.